Strengthening Seniors in Digital Literacy at YMCA Silver Fiesta 2018
This year’s edition of YMCA of Singapore’s annual event for seniors, the YMCA Silver Fiesta, which aims to promote active aging as well as inter-generational bonding, also contained digital literacy education elements for the first time since its inception in 2012.
Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Land & Water Resources graced the event as our Guest of Honour.
More than 1,400 elderly from over 30 Social Service Organisations (SSOs) attended the event at Toa Payoh HDB Hub on 9-10 November 2018. The event was facilitated by about 600 volunteers from about 11 corporate organisations and various schools.
In partnership with the Info-communications and Media Development Authority (IMDA), YMCA Silver Fiesta 2018 featured a digital clinic for the elderly for the very first time.
Seniors freely asked volunteers tech-related questions they would otherwise have little opportunity to ask during 1-1 sessions at the digital clinic, to help them participate in our increasingly tech-centric society.
There were also stage activities which showed seniors how to guard against fake news and adopt technology that can enrich their lives.
Other highlights included demonstrations of low-intensity exercises suitable for the elderly, a Hip Hop dance performance by a group of seniors and a booth by FairPrice On, which enabled the elderly to experience the convenience of online grocery shopping.
“NTUC FairPrice recognises the contributions of our silver generation and supports programmes that empower seniors. To complement YMCA Silver Fiesta’s focus on digital literacy this year, FairPrice mobilised our online team to befriend seniors, and inculcate familiarity and confidence in using technology for their grocery needs amongst other digital convenience,” said Mr Seah Kian Peng, CEO, NTUC FairPrice.
“We hope to strengthen our seniors’ technology skills, so they can apply them in their daily tasks or chores for convenience. They are an important part of our society and we need to ensure that they are kept up to date even as the world advances,” said Mr Steven Loh, General Secretary & CEO of YMCA of Singapore.
YMCA Silver Fiesta 2018’s focus on digital literacy for seniors reflects the YMCA’s desire to address the national issue of a widening digital divide, where those without Infocomm Technology (IT) access and knowledge, such as the elderly, are quickly becoming left behind in an increasingly tech-centric Singapore.
YMCA Silver Fiesta 2018 is part of YMCA’s comprehensive plan to weave digital literacy elements into its many ongoing community service programmes for the elderly next year.
It also aims to integrate these programmes into a complete suite designed to help reduce the seniors’ resistance to adopting technology, and empower them to take the first step, to make use of the resources already made available to them by various agencies here.
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Our deepest appreciation to the following partners for their contributions:
